Mark Chapman is the bookies’ favourite but Gabby Logan, Alex Scott or Gary Neville may step into Lineker’s boots

On Tuesday the BBC confirmed Gary Lineker is to step down as the presenter of Match of the Day at the end of the season, sparking speculation about who is likely to step into his sizeable boots.

The top job at the BBC’s flagship football programme has not been available since Lineker took over from Des Lynam in 1999, when the show was the definitive word on football on terrestrial television.